Very young cardinals can almost be termed "dorky" as their mottled feathers and incipient crown give them a quite ruffled appearance. Above: A young male at the Garden feeder with the feathers and bill beginning to show the true red color. Below left: A young male that still has the dark color bill. Below center: A new fledgling trying out safflower seed. Below right: What appears to be a almost mature female.

Left: A female with final colors, crown still showing some red. Below: A mature male feeding a mature female.

Below left: A young female with her bill transitioning to the final red. Below right: The mature male cardinal.